Peak Nano has disclosed plans to develop nanolayered biodegradable polymer films for food, beverage, and medical packaging.
The effort is being funded by the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub as part of its recent round of support for regional R&D initiatives.
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The company’s approach involves using its patented NanoPlex technology to produce multilayer barrier films intended as an alternative to conventional packaging materials that pose recycling and environmental challenges.
Peak Nano’s films are being designed to break down over time while maintaining performance requirements for medical and food packaging uses.
The firm’s technology, developed in collaboration with researchers at Case Western Reserve University, allows for the precise arrangement of thousands of polymer layers within a single film.
The project was one of eight selected from more than 40 submissions to receive backing from the Akron-based Innovation Hub.
Supported by the Greater Akron Chamber and the Polymer Industry Cluster, the hub is directing $42m over four years toward R&D activities, infrastructure development, and support for startups focused on sustainable polymers.
Peak Nano’s current work includes producing prototype films and testing them with commercial packaging equipment in partnership with collaborators.
Next steps involve assessing biodegradability, modelling costs for scaling up production, and establishing processes for bringing these new materials to packaging producers and users.
Manufacturing will take place in Ohio with involvement from other regional partners throughout the project.
Peak Nano chief scientific officer Michael Ponting said: “With NanoPlex, we can create nanolayers that let us dial in characteristics like barrier performance, mechanical strength, and even degradability.
“This lets us tackle one of the toughest problems in packaging. We can now design biodegradable nanolayer structures that give converters the barrier and mechanical properties they need, with a much better end-of-life story.”
